Resident’s Choice: Leaving behind the Unpredictable Weather
The Aftermath: A Descent into Frustration and Fear
TAMPA, Fla. – The back-to-back storms this hurricane season have left many residents with a sense of unease and frustration, leading to a growing number of individuals choosing to sell their homes and move away from flood zones. For some, the trauma of living through hurricanes has become too much to bear.
A New Beginning, A New Home
Jody Hameroff, a St. Petersburg resident, is one such individual who has decided to leave behind the uncertainty of living in a flood zone. "We’re not going to move back into this house, it was a very traumatic, and I don’t want to go through this again," she said. "We actually have a contract on a new house, we’re just not going to come back here. No joke, my husband had someone looking for us two days after [Helene]."
The Decision to Stay, the Struggle to Leave
Next door, her neighbor in Shore Acres, Chris Beardslee, is also planning to sell his home. "Is this worth going through again? How am I going to feel next year, let alone two weeks later like this one was?" he said. "It’s more important for peace of mind for the future to move along and sell the house for what we can get for it."
However, Beardslee’s decision is not without its struggles. "[My family] tried convincing me to leave the state, but I couldn’t leave my law practice in the area," he said. "You think, should I move home where I grew up? Could we move across the country? But for my profession, it keeps me in the area."
The Real Estate Market, a Concerning Trend
According to Tampa Bay area realtor Eileen Bedinghaus, the number of residents looking to sell their homes is increasing. "They’re very discouraged. And of everyone that I’ve met with so far, all but one are for sure going to sell," she said.
However, Bedinghaus warns that there are some problems with these sudden moves. "Moving out of their area there’s other issues, such as the values are increasing for areas that are not in a flood zone, taxes will increase when they move, and they’re very concerned about what is going to happen to their insurance," she said.
Conclusion
As the residents of TAMPA, Fla. face another hurricane season, many are left with a choice: stay and risk facing the potential damage and trauma, or leave and start anew. While some, like Beardslee, choose to stay and rebuild, others, like Hameroff, decide to take a new path. As the stormy weather approaches, only time will tell what the future holds for these residents.
FAQs
Q: What are the concerns of residents who are choosing to leave flood zones?
A: Many residents are concerned about the trauma of living through hurricanes, the uncertainty of the weather, and the potential damage to their homes.
Q: What are the financial concerns of selling a home and moving away from a flood zone?
A: Residents are concerned about the potential increase in property values in areas not in flood zones, taxes, and the impact on their insurance.
Q: What is the current situation in the real estate market in Tampa, Fla.?
A: According to realtor Eileen Bedinghaus, the number of residents looking to sell their homes is increasing, and many are facing a range of concerns about their decision to leave.
